Politics Unpacked - podcast cover

Politics Unpacked

Times Radiowww.thetimes.co.uk

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times.


You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at http://www.thetimes.com/

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Episodes

Who Wants to Be An MP?

As veteran MPs quit the Commons, a new Yougov poll for Times Radio reveals 1 in 5 want to be an MP. Matt Chorley speaks to those leaving and those looking to arrive in the Commons about what life is like on the green-benches. PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott discuss the latest scandal to hit the Royal Family and new curriculum guidelines for schools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 17, 202238 min

Disunited Kingdom 16-02-22

Matt Chorley speaks to journalists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to get the news from the four corners of the UK. This week: How do attitudes towards immigration differ in each country? PLUS: James Forsyth and Rosamund Urwin discuss what the government can do about the cost of living crisis and Britain's baby shortage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 16, 202239 min

Polling in the deep: Scotland edition

Live from Glasgow, Matt Chorley speaks to Polling guru Sir John Curtice to take the temperature of Scottish politics before Ross Greer from the Scottish Greens and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole Hamilton debate the role of the smaller parties. PLUS Helen Stewart and Kenny Farquharson discuss the days news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 15, 202237 min

Anas Sarwar

Matt Chorley speaks to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar about problems for the party and whether they can regain Labour's lost love. PLUS Melanie Reid and Alex Massie discuss Boris Johnson's leadership and Valentine's Day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 202239 min

Political Lookalikes

Matt Chorley is joined by Tony Blair, Donald Trump, Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson. Well...sort of. Five lookalikes explain what it's like impersonating British politicians. PLUS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss British Foreign policy towards Europe in the face of the Ukraine crisis, and whether Scotland could introduce women-only train carriages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 202238 min

The Power of Proximity

With all the job changes in Downing Street, Matt Chorley speaks to Jack Brown, the former Historian in residence at 10 Downing Street and author of "Number 10 and hears from former advisers and permanent secretaries on why where you sit in No 10 really matters. Plus the Times' James Marriott and Carol Lewis talk about being envious and Labour's stance on defence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 10, 202240 min

PMQs Unpacked 09-02-22

Matt Chorley and Chief Political Commentator of the Sunday Times Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS Alibert: Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss heshuffle, teachers and farmers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 09, 202245 min

How Do We Fix The Met?

Matt Chorley speaks to the Times’ Crime and Security Editor Fiona Hamilton, Regional London Director of the IOPC, Sal Naseem, and he speaks to two former Met heads Dr Victor Olisa and Shabnam Chaudri. And Finkelvitch, Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch on when jokes have gone too far and University Challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 08, 202246 min

What is Thatcherism?

Despite raising taxes Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak think they're Thatcherites, but some of their MPs think they're socialists. We speak to the people who knew the Iron Lady best to find out what Thatcherism is... Plus Rachel Cunliffe and Rachel Sylvester discuss the day's news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 07, 202239 min

BONUS: Leader of the Opposition - Episode 1

Last year, to mark 300 years since Robert Walpole became Prime Minister, Matt Chorley learnt about every PM through history each week. This year, he's learning about each Leader of the Opposition with Nigel Fletcher from the Centre for Opposition Studies. Each month you'll find a collection of episodes on the podcast. This month it's Charles James Fox, George Ponsonby, George Tierney and Henry Petty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 05, 202234 min

The Press Gallery

What is the press gallery? Hundreds of journalists across different media organisations are now able to report from the Houses of Parliament. We take you back to 1738 where journalists had to fight to be able to report on what went on in the House of Commons with News UK archivist Nick Mays, former Political Editor of the Times, Philip Webster and Times Radio's Carole Walker. Plus columnists chat with FORMEL, James Forsyth and Melanie Reid, on resignations and scrapping exams. Hosted on Acast. S...

Feb 04, 202255 min

Michael Crick on Nigel Farage

Matt Chorley speaks to Veteran Political Journalist Michael Crick about his incredibly detailed biography of Brexit's Nigel Farage "One Party After Another". PLUS: India Knight and James Marriott on the cost of living crisis and Botox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 03, 202227 min

PMQS Unpacked 02-02-22

Matt Chorley and Chief Political Commentator of the Sunday Times Tim Shipman pause the action to analyse the exchanges between Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions. PLUS ALIBERT: Robert Crampton and Alice Thomson discuss the Office of the Prime Minister and men behaving badly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 02, 202248 min

Sue Gray Unpacked

After explosive scenes in the House of Commons, Matt Chorley unpacks what happened with the Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire. PLUS FINKELVITCH: Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch talk about the relationship between politicians and police and Jimmy Savile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 01, 202249 min

Sue Gray, Sue Gray and Sue Gray

Matt Chorley speaks to an unofficial focus group of women called Sue Gray to find out what they think about the report and Boris Johnson. Plus Opinium pollster Chris Curtis goes through what the public think. COLUMNISTS Rachel Sylvester and Susie Boniface talk about levelling up and Boris Johnson's chances in the next general election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 31, 202237 min

The Spike in Spiking

Matt dives into the real spiking threat in nightclubs with chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee Dame Diana Johnson, St John's Ambulance, nightclub operator Peter Marks and student organisations trying to tackle this at their universities. PLUS FORMEL: James Forsyth and Melanie Reid talk tax, Johnson's plea to MPs and political location hotspots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 28, 202239 min

Holocaust Memorial Day with Stephen Pollard

Matt Chorley speaks to the former Editor of the Jewish Chronicle about Holocaust Memorial Day and the threat of anti-Semitism in the UK today. PLUS James Marriott and Martha Gill discuss reasons to be positive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 202237 min

PMQs Unpacked 26-01-2022

Matt Chorley and The Sunday Times' Tim Shipman pause the action and ring the bell in yet another Prime Minister's Questions dominated by Partygate and the prospect of Sue Gray's report. PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss the top stories of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 202244 min

Is A United Ireland Inevitable?

As Liz Truss continues negotiations to fix the Northern Ireland protocol, Matt Chorley speaks to political analysts and MPs on both sides of the Assembly to ask whether the island of Ireland is on the path to reunification. PLUS Danny Finklestein and David Aaronovitch react to the Police announcing that they will investigate Downing Street parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 25, 202245 min

What's Happening In Ukraine?

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Diplomatic Correspondent Catherine Philp, Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, former UK Ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner and others to find out what's happening in Ukraine and what it means for the UK and the rest of the world. PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss the latest from Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jan 24, 202242 min

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Everyone is talking about letters of no confidence this week so Matt looks through letters which have shaped politics down the years, from campaigns to get prime ministers to change their policies, to Harold Wilson's letter to Daniel Finkelstein about watching the muppets. Daniel Finklestein, Dr Kit Kowol and Professor Richard Toye speak what we can learn from political letters. PLUS FORMEL: James Forsyth and Melanie Reid on the political tv drama we're in and train announcements. Hosted on Acas...

Jan 21, 202242 min

The Art of Defection

What makes a politician defect and change political sides? Matt talks to four politicians who decided to jump and how they kept it a secret including; Alan Howarth, Douglas Carswell, Anna Soubry and Dr Phillip Lee. PLUS KNIGHT AT THE MARRIOTT... India Knight and James Marriott discuss taking responsibility and why rule breakers get ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 20, 202242 min

PMQs Unpacked 19-01-22

As Boris Johnson claims 'he was not told' the Downing Street party would breach lockdown regulations, Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause the action between the exchanges at the dispatch box to explain what's going on. PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss Boris Johnson's leadership woes and swimming in the Serpentine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 20221 hr 2 min

Who is Liz Truss?

Matt Chorley speaks to Times Chief Political Correspondent Henry Zeffman, former SpAd Kirsty Buchanan and head of the Institute of Economic Affairs Mark Littlewood to find out who the woman behind the photo ops really is. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss fairness in politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 18, 202240 min

The Scientists

Matt Chorley talks to Sir Mark Walport, Professor Linda Bauld and The Science Media Centre's Fiona Fox about going from anonymous scientists in front of a microscope to media sensations during a pandemic. PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester talk Operation Red Meat, the BBC licence fee and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 202240 min

How to Remove a Tory Prime Minister

Matt Chorley hears from people who were in the room with previous Conservative Prime Ministers as they were forced out from office. The Times' Political Editor Steven Swinford analyses how close Boris is to following them. PLUS: Melanie Reid and James Forsyth discuss the latest Number 10 Downing Street party to be revealed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 14, 202240 min

Dying in a Hospice

Matt Chorley catches up with former civil servant, cancer patient and listener Clair Fisher about being moved into a hospice and why palliative care needs to be considered in the Health and Social Care bill. PLUS COLUMNISTS: India Knight and Hugo Rifkind talk about Boris Johnson's leadership, art degrees and dogs wearing clothes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 202238 min

PMQs Unpacked 21-1-22

With Boris Johnson under fire for the latest party allegations, Matt Chorley and Patrick Maguire pause the action between the exchanges at the dispatch box to explain what's going on. PLUS Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton discuss parties and farming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 12, 20221 hr 6 min

Times Radio Focus Group 11-1-22

Matt Chorley and former Number 10 Pollster James Johnson convene the Times Radio focus group to find out what they think about the latest Number 10 party revelations. PLUS Daniel Finkelstein and David Aaronovitch discuss Michael Gove's lift incident. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 11, 20221 hr 2 min

How To Fix The Foreign Office

Matt Chorley speaks to former Ambassador to the US Kim Darroch, Times Diplomatic Editor Roger Boyes, and former senior civil servants Jill Rutter and Simon Fraser about the issues facing the Foreign Office, and what it can do to get back on top. PLUS The Times Libby Purves and the Mirror's Susie Boniface talk party-gate and living forever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 202243 min
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